AAUG Reviews

by Ron Schoedel, AAUG Member

If I were to set out to design a perfect stand for using my MacBook Pro on a desk, I would stop what I was doing and go out and buy the mStand from Rain Design, Inc., because there would be no sense in reinventing what they have already perfected.

I work with my MacBook Pro on a desk throughout the day, with an external keyboard and mouse. Of course, using a notebook computer on a desk is not ergonomic unless you can elevate the notebook so the top of it’s display is approximately at eye level. I have tried several stands but none have really met my needs. My needs include cable management (a USB cord and a power adapter cord), elevation, proper viewing angle, heat dissipation and improved airflow around the computer, and–I’ll be honest–desirable aesthetics.

Rain Design, Inc’s., mStand came to my attention and I immediately recognized it as the likely solution to my needs. When the review unit arrived, I marveled at the packaging, which was quite reminiscent of the classy, yet minimalist, packaging for which Apple is well regarded. Nice packaging always gives a good impression. Once removed from the box, the mStand stands about 6 inches high and is built from a solid piece of anodized aluminum whose color perfectly matches the finish of the MacBook Pro or Powerbook G4 notebooks. For most of us, the sharp design of our Apple computers is one of the reasons we like them. (more…)

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

Looking for a very cute speaker system for your iPod? Then do consider the ulta cute Rain iWoofer, winner of MacWorld’s best of show in 2006, easy to see why, with a superior 12 watt speakers, and 2.5 ” subwoofer, you’ll enjoy the sound no matter your preference of sounds. If you haven’t seen Rain’s gallery of products, do go to their website,
http://www.raindesigninc.com

The iWoofer is very compact, and about the size of a small bowling ball, available in white or black with a lone chrome antenna and dock connector ( comes with alternate mounts for shuffle ), or a separate Nano model. I really liked the sound, with it’s 30-millimeter titanium twin speakers, and bottom directed sub woofer, adjustable base levels.

When I tried the FM built in radio, you press the button on it’s side, and it scans what’s out there, while the blue “halo” light on the bottom of the iWoofer blinks, but I found poor reception, and since I couldn’t see a display on my iPod or the unit, had to refer to a portable radio to know what I was listening to. A remote or display would solve that pronto.

A mini USB cable, included, on the backside connects the iWoofer to your computer. Dock connector equipped iPods, like my iPod Video I used for the testing, charge their battery. (more…)